OnlineComputerHelpers.com - Computer Repair http://onlinecomputerhelpers.com/blog Online Computer Repair Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:18:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 en hourly 1 The importance of patching your computer http://onlinecomputerhelpers.com/blog/index.php/2009/11/19/the-importance-of-patching-your-computer/ http://onlinecomputerhelpers.com/blog/index.php/2009/11/19/the-importance-of-patching-your-computer/#comments Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:15:08 +0000 Keith http://onlinecomputerhelpers.com/blog/?p=11 Installing the Microsoft Windows Update patches to your computer is entirely up to you, as the end user. What I mean by that is that if you don’t patch your computer you are more prone to being infected with a virus, spyware or malware. The idea behind these patches are to fix problems with the original code that allowed the malicious software to be installed in the first place.

By installing these patches one can assume that the likelihood of getting a worm is less; however, it is not foolproof. You must exercise restraint and not visit sites that are deemed unsafe. How does one do that you might ask? It’s not always easy. Most bad sites are riddled with advertisements of nudity or such. That is a good first indication. Another indication is that links you are clicking on that ‘appear’ to be accurate, but bring you somewhere else.

Lastly, pick up a anti-virus scanner. There are free ones out there such as Microsoft Security Essentials and AVG Free. The list is endless, but try to have one running at all times to ensure your PC’s safety.

]]> http://onlinecomputerhelpers.com/blog/index.php/2009/11/19/the-importance-of-patching-your-computer/feed/ Win32/Conficker.B - The April Fool’s Day Worm http://onlinecomputerhelpers.com/blog/index.php/2009/03/24/win32confickerb-the-april-fools-day-worm/ http://onlinecomputerhelpers.com/blog/index.php/2009/03/24/win32confickerb-the-april-fools-day-worm/#comments Tue, 24 Mar 2009 18:42:45 +0000 Keith http://onlinecomputerhelpers.com/blog/?p=3 The recent worm labeled Conficker.B is scheduled to go live on April 1st. It is not known yet what exactly will transpire on April 1st; however, there are a few things that may tip you off that you have been infected.

-Your account may be locked out due to policies being tripped

-Windows Automatic Updates, Background Intelligent Services (BITS), Windows Defender and Error Reporting Services are disabled

-Domain controller response issues. Client requests may be slow.

-Excessive amount of network traffic.

-Certain security-related web sites could be blocked.

To prevent this worm from infecting your system, one should download and install the latest Microsoft patches.

Removal

Any up to date anti-virus software should rid this worm from your PC. If you have already been infected, a manual removal is available; however, it is a very cumbersome process. If you are unable to remove this worm, please, visit our home page at http://www.onlinecomputerhelpers.com and speak with us live.

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